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Revelation Lesson 8 Day 4 Daniel 6

The Ishtar Gate to the ancient city of Babylon as reconstructed at the Pergamon museum.

8. Daniel remained faithful to his earthly kings in every area except one.

In Daniel 5:29, Belshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, promoted Daniel to the third highest ruler in the kingdom. Daniel was probably in his eighties by then.¹ That same night, Belshazzar was killed.

Since Darius only ruled for two years, the political conspiracy to get Daniel killed must have occurred shortly after Belshazzar’s ill-fated drunken orgy recorded in Daniel 5:1-7.

The conspirators were jealous that Darius favored Daniel above all of his other officials. Like Joseph, he would be second only to the King (Pharoah, in Joseph’s case).

The jealous crowd found no evidence of corruption to pin on Daniel, so they appealed to Darius’ ego. They proposed he issue the following unconditional decree:

For the next thirty days no one is to pray to any god or mortal except you, O king. Anyone who disobeys will be thrown into the lions’ den. (From Daniel 6:7 MSG)

King Darius signed the decree. Even though Daniel knew about the thirty-day law, he continued to pray just as he had always done.

His house had windows in the upstairs that opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he knelt there in prayer, thanking and praising his God.

9. God protected and vindicated Daniel.

The king was very upset. He tried his best to get Daniel out of the fix he’d put him in.

The king caved into the conspirators and ordered Daniel brought and thrown into the lions’ den.

“But he said to Daniel, “Your God, to whom you are so loyal, is going to get you out of this.” Daniel 6:16 MSG

That night, the king couldn’t sleep. “At daybreak, the king got up and hurried to the lion’s den.”

Daniel answered the king when he called out. God sent an angel to stop the lions from devouring Daniel.

The king was relieved. He commanded that the conspirators along with their wives and children be thrown into the lions’ den. “Before they hit the floor, the lions had them in their jaws, tearing them to pieces.”

King Darius decreed that everyone in his entire kingdom must worship and fear Daniel’s God, the living and eternal God. The decree gave testimony of God’s miraculous, saving power.

“Daniel was treated well during the reign of Darius, and also in the following reign of Cyrus the Persian.”

10. Hard choices

My former husband resented my relationship with God. He didn’t want me to have any god before him.

When I determined to press in no matter what, his angry outbursts became more frequent and abusive.

The year before he moved out, both of our pastors and another church leader asked for advice on how to cope with him. His controlling, manipulative anger disturbed them and his fellow deacons.

My hard choices are less dramatic now.

Since God has called me to write in addition to caring for family members, my hard choices often mean denying myself. Daily surprises and interruptions call for flexibility and determination to stay on course.

Maintaining my relationship with Him requires determination. I must keep my eyes on Him and my ears tuned to hear what the Spirit is saying.

One day I hope to write about the project management side of obeying God — when and if I figure it all out.

Almost every day I feel like I’ve failed. I’m learning {said in faith} that I feel that way because I’m relying on my limited strength and my limited abilities. HIS strength and abilities are limitless. Clearly, mine are not.

Last week, the Holy Spirit convicted me about my attitude. I love to study and write. But I need to be in a better mood about the other activities.

Taking another lap around the “Do you trust ME? mountain.” Yes, Lord. I trust You. Help my unbelief!

~~~~~~~

¹ Based on historical and Biblical accounts of the number of years various kings reigned since Daniel went into captivity which was probably around 605 B.C.

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